Sanofi commences phase III trials of cholesterol treatment

Sanofi and its partner Regeneron Pharmaceuticals are to carry out phase III clinical trials of SAR236553/REGN727, their new treatment for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

The Odyssey trial programme will comprise more than ten individual clinical studies and is set to enrol more than 22,000 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia or elevated cardiovascular risk, as well as subjects who are unable to tolerate statin therapy.

SAR236553/REGN727 is a potential first-in-class fully human antibody that lowers LDL cholesterol by targeting PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9), an enzyme which binds LDL receptors and causes their accelerated degradation.

Dr Jay Edelberg, head of the PCSK9 development and launch unit at Sanofi, said: "We … would like to thank in advance the patients and physicians who will contribute to the first phase III programme evaluating a PCSK9-targeted therapy."

Last month, the company announced positive data from the clinical trials GetGoal Duo 1 and GetGoal-L, which form part of a wider programme of studies evaluating the efficacy of the diabetes drug Lyxumia.